College of DuPage Foundation, in support of the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), hosts the MAC 40th Anniversary Gala, 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at the MAC, located at 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage (COD). The highlight of the evening is an electrifying performance blend of blues, rock and soul by COD alumnus Jim Belushi and The Sacred Hearts Band on the Belushi Performance Hall stage, which has featured the Belushi name since 2015.
Before the 8 p.m. performance, gala ticket holders will mix and mingle in the MAC lobby while enjoying cocktails and a delicious assortment of heavy hors d’oeuvres. There will also be the chance to engage in a silent auction full of exclusive items and experiences in theater, art, entertainment, fine dining and more.
Jim Belushi (center) and The Sacred Hearts Band. Photo courtesy of the artists
Proceeds from the gala will benefit the College of DuPage Foundation’s Belushi Scholarship for Performing Arts Endowment, helping COD music, theater and dance students pursue their dreams, and McAninch Endowment for the Arts to help sustain world-class programming for the next 40 years.
Gala Committee members are Sharon D'Allesandro, Kim Dorn, Jameena Ivory, Claudia Kerbel, Nancy Lehrer, Maggie McCoy, Ellen McGowan, Joan Morrissey, Jane Oldfield, Marcie Peterson, Katie Philpott, Roland Raffel, Barb Reimann, Rene Richards and Kathleen Yosko.
Members of the Host Committee include Mary & Rich Chamberlain, Janet Derber, Floyd Dillman & Amy Weiller, Karen & Gene Kuhn, Katherine & Gary Lietz, Maggie McCoy, Marcie & Mark Peterson, Mark & Martha Pfefferman, Bary & Linda Tusin, Paul Rom and Kathleen Yosko.
The MAC 40th Anniversary Gala is supported by Marcie & Mark Peterson (Gala Encore Sponsors) and Anonymous (Center Stage Sponsor).
Gala tickets are $300 and are on sale now. Gala tickets include access to pre-show open bar and food stations and priority seating on the main floor for the performance. For tickets, sponsorships, or more information call 630.942.3088, email foundation@codfound.org or visit mac40.givesmart.com.BLACK
Concert-only tickets are $75 - $100 (for all-in-pricing, add $3/ticket fee) and are also currently on sale. For tickets or more information visit AtTheMAC.org.
About Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts Band
Jim Belushi is an actor, comedian, and musician best known for his decade-long run on the ABC sitcom “According to Jim” and his years as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” Born in Chicago and raised in suburban Wheaton, the College of DuPage alumnus has built a prolific career spanning film, television and stage, with memorable roles in “Song Sung Blue,” “About Last Night,” “K-9” and “Trading Places.”
After the death of John Belushi, Jim's brother and original Blues Brother's member, Dan Aykroyd asked Jim to join him as part of the Blues Brothers. To get ready for his role as Brother "Zee" Blues, Belushi rehearsed with the House of Blues' own band -- The Sacred Hearts. Since then, this band, known for their high-energy concerts filled with powerhouse musicianship, storytelling, pure fun and special surprises, have played for Al Gore, Governor Gray Davis and many other politicos, at all the House of Blues venues, at many casinos and benefits and hundreds of corporate events for the Fortune 500 companies.
Belushi graduated from COD with an associate degree in 1974 and credits COD for having a major impact on his life. In 1983, in association with The Second City, Jim created The John Belushi Scholarship Fund to honor the name and memory of his brother, who was also a former COD student. On Sept. 12, 2015, the MAC officially renamed its newly renovated 800-seat mainstage the Belushi Performance Hall in honor of the brothers.
About College of DuPage Foundation
Established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation, visit foundation.cod.edu or call 630.942.2462.
About the McAninch Arts Center (MAC)
The MAC, celebrating 40 years with its upcoming 2026-2027 season, is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; 186-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and a versatile black box Studio Theatre), the outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, plus the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season.
The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. For more information about the MAC, visit AtTheMAC.org or @AtTheMAC on Facebook and Instagram.